u/tjspencer

Found a 3-month sublet at Bridges @ 11th in Seattle for $2350/month + $900 deposit. The current tenant told me:

• I’d need to use his name for deliveries/packages
• If maintenance comes, he wants me to “go with him”
• I wouldn’t officially be added to the lease

This makes me think it’s probably an unauthorized sublet.

I’m trying to figure out:

• how risky this actually is,
• how often people get caught in Seattle student apartments,
• and what the realistic consequences are for me vs. the tenant.

Has anyone dealt with unofficial sublets at Bridges @ 11th or similar student housing in Seattle? It's been so difficult for me to find sublet this summer.

Mainly worried about:

• suddenly being kicked out,
• losing the deposit,
• or management discovering I’m living there.

Would appreciate honest experiences/advice.

Is this common practice in Seattle? They will hold it for 30 days, but they will only send the rental agreement after I give $600 non refundable deposit. Deadline is 24hrs after application is approved (my application got approved) I feel like it's a fair ask to read what I sign up for before giving $600.

This is what the property manager says:

We do not have paper copies of leases. They are autogenerated and sent out through our system. We do require the holding deposit to hold a unit for up to 30 days. You will sign a holding deposit agreement stating these terms of deposit. We typically only hold a unit for 24 hours after application is approved. But we are giving you until tomorrow morning, 5/1 at 10am to make that deposit before moving to the next applicant. The holding deposit is nonrefundable but once you move into the unit, that deposit then transfers as the security deposit and does becomes refundable at move out. 

I found this:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18.285

Nonrefundable fees not to be designated as deposit-Written rental agreement required-Remedies.